HP's TouchPad tablet
Were you one of the lucky Australian consumers to get your hands on HP's TouchPad tablet for $98?
More on the demise of the HP TouchPad:
- Our comprehensive HP TouchPad review
- Hands-on with the HP TouchPad
- R.I.P HP TouchPad, we hardly knew you
- Harvey Norman clearing HP TouchPad stocks for $98
Ironically, the demand for a cheap HP TouchPad exploded yesterday, just days after HP effectively killed the device and its webOS platform last week.
Australian retailer Harvey Norman witnessed an unprecedented rush for the TouchPad after it sold remaining units of the discontinued tablet for just $98 following a deal with HP. In a bid to clear Australian stocks of the webOS device, the retailer announced yesterday morning that it would sell an estimated 6000 TouchPad units from 2pm: 16GB TouchPad units sold for $98, and 32GB models went out the door for $148.
The HP TouchPad sold out within hours. Consumers lined up after lunch in a bid to grab a bargain, with some Harvey Norman stores reporting an influx of over 200 people. In addition to the TouchPad itself, all TouchPad accessories, including an inductive "Touchstone" charger (normally $89), were sold at half price.
Just a week and a half ago, Harvey Norman advertised the TouchPad for $599 (16GB) and $699 (32GB), before HP cut $100 off both models four days before the official launch in Australia on 15 August.
The firesale was the result of HP sensationally abandoning the webOS line of products last week, effectively consigning the TouchPad to the dustbin less than a week after its launch. In the worldwide announcement, HP revealed it was "discontinuing operations for webOS devices", citing that they "have not met internal milestones and financial targets".
If you were lucky enough to score a TouchPad for under $100, we'd love you know what you are using it for.
Perhaps its a slick looking digital photo frame? An electronic recipe book in the kitchen? Maybe it has found a home on your coffee table? Or perhaps its your new best friend on morning and afternoon commutes to and from work?
Let us know in the comments below!
